Based on feedback in this thread, the official LQ polls continue. Next up, How Many New Linux Distributions Do You Try Per Year?

--jeremy

Between 0 and 1, just to see how other distros are evolving.

610 sounds about right.

1 members found this post helpful.

I need some clarification before voting. What exactly does "new" mean and why you say "try", is that 'live' or an actual test install or could it be either?

I do test/try distros that are new to ME (as in I've never used or tried them before) but they are certainly not new to the Linux ecosystem. Then there are cases where I haven't tried a particular distro for quite some time and decide to give it a 'spin' to see if it has improved or not. It's rare that I try a brand new distro that just came on the scene.

Edit: I chose 6-10 after receiving some clarification, 6-10 sounds about right. Mostly live testing, but if a distro really impresses me, then I'll dig out a spare SSD/HDD and go to the next level, an actual install test.

None now. When I first started running Linux, I distrohopped quite a lot. But, for the past few years, I've lost interest in other distros and am concentrating on my particular favourite: Slackware.
Might have a go at one or more of the BSD's sometime, though. And the other OS's: Haiku, Minix, whatever.

I guess I should not count the ones I install temporarily in a VM just to help answer someone's question here on LQ. That leaves about 1 every 3-5 years.

For clarity, I updated the poll title to "How Many Linux Distributions Do You Try Per Year?". Could be install or live.

--jeremy

Same here for my vote.

Off topic:

@Habitual. I've tried your signature link but the results are all over the place for me.
Only Once a terminal window with no input capability. And I am guessing it was a terminal window
because I bet the page did not completely load. Like as if my ISP thinks it is a kracker site or something.

Mostly I get

Just mentioning it.

The 6-10 vote fits me because I am a self taught linux user and my last learning foray was Slitaz.
I liked it but distro testing team obligations made me blow that install away. At least that is what I use
as a excuse/tell myself, like any weak willed human being when failing/stumbling at something new.

I don't like using VM myself. But that is just me, and my weird ways.

Kinda like wearing a prophylactic during a linux run.

What happened to the "0" option?

Like a lot of the other users here, it's somewhere around 1 every 3-4 years for me.

There seems to be a bug. I've re-added it as "Zero". Thanks for the heads up.

--jeremy

Try again.

I've been called worse things by better people
Maybe your IP is on my extensive 'shitlist'?

As am I as well.

I think my next 'test drive' for a suitable desktop/workstation Operating System may be Debian.
I have to figure that out.

Had not seen it that way, but that's how it feels

In regards to the original question, I may try 1 or 2 new distros per year (if/when I do), but I generally only use Debian Sid and occasionally boot a secondary openSUSE install.

None. As far as I remember until around 2012 I had still been trying new distros in search of the ultimate one. After a few hours/days of playing with it, I would always reboot to my main operating system because there was always something I didn't like about the new one. After some time, I gave up the search of "the ultimate distro". Slackware is not perfect, but imo it comes closest to MY ultimate operating system.

1998 Slackware
2004 Slackware
2005 Slackware
2006 Slackware
2007 Slackware
2008 Slackware
2009 Slackware
2010 Slackware
2011 Slackware
2012 Slackware
2013 Slackware
2014 Slackware
2015 Slackware

I suppose that would be 1

OK but what is your 'main' distro? Kidding ;D